A 2018 cup final hero has returned to Warrnambool Rangers and will captain the Ballarat and District Soccer Association division one side this season.
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Josh Bourke, who scored the winner in about the 80th minute of the 218 triumph, says he's ready for his first leadership position.
"I sort of found coming down to training just being the older one that I naturally - before Pykey (coach Cam Pyke) announced me as captain - that I naturally wanted to help those younger guys," he said.
"I'm often talking to them about what they can and shouldn't do on the pitch.
"A lot of them have a fair bit of potential and they're good young lads who love the sport.
"We're in a really good spot this year."
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The Rangers begin their 2021 campaign against Ballarat North United at 3pm on Sunday in Ballarat.
The group is keen to hit the pitch after no senior soccer in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Bourke, whose most recent match for the Rangers was in 2018, has gained valuable experiences since.
"I moved to Melbourne to study and lived up there for a bit and played for a few clubs," he said.
"I've since finished studying, got sick of the big smoke and was keen to move back home.
"I'm really happy to be back and be with a few of my old mates down here.
"I'm keen to see how things are in the Ballarat league."
The 26-year-old played for Malvern FC for a season while he was studying a diploma in conservation and land management.
I didn't know what to do with myself without playing so I'm stoked to be back.
- Josh Bourke
He was set to play with Camberwell in 2020 but didn't get to because of the pandemic.
Bourke missed soccer "big time" last year.
"I think since I was about 10, I think I've played it five times a week for my entire life," he said.
"I didn't know what to do with myself without playing so I'm stoked to be back."
Senior coach Cam Pyke told The Standard last week the Rangers had greater depth this season compared to recent years.
Bourke, who plays centre, said the club was a great place to be and "the squad, on paper, is really strong this year and I reckon we're in with a really good chance".
"We've got all these young kids coming through and they're keen which is nice to see and a lot of them could possibly go a long way playing for the seniors.....then there's guys like myself, Pykey and Cam Jennings who have played the sport for a long time who can help them," he said.
The 2018 3-2 cup final victory is something Bourke will always remember.
"That was something else, that game," he said.
The Rangers came from 2-0 down to win.
Bourke described his back heel winning goal as his favourite ever.
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